reported paying for supplies without reimbursement for the 2014-2015 school year, according to a federal Department of Education survey.
This year, it’s a whole new ballgame. Not only must teachers keep their classrooms stocked with glue sticks, pencils and construction paper, they need enough inventory to ensure children don’t share supplies and spread germs across the classroom. Plus, they have to maintain a large supply of personal protective equipment andThe High Cost Of Teaching During A Pandemic
This year, she’s already spent close to $500. “I’ve purchased boxes of disposable children’s masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, wipes, disinfectant spray, children’s ear savers, a face shield for myself and student lanyards to clip their masks to in the lunchroom, which is the only time they leave the class,” she said.
Hernandez estimates that she’s already spent $3,000 in preparation for the current school year. “I bought an iPad in April to help me record my lessons and bought an iMac because I needed a better setup to hold synchronous lessons on Zoom,” she said. “I’ve also purchased a small desk setup, online resources that are conducive toward digital learning, subscriptions to apps and websites and general supplies to help me stay organized at home.